The Los Angeles Clippers enjoyed a memorable night at the Intuit Dome as their new addition Bennedict Mathurin delivered a stunning performance in his first home game. The 23-year-old guard scored a career-high 38 points off the bench to lead the Clippers to a dramatic 115–114 victory over the Denver Nuggets on February 19.
The performance instantly became one of the biggest individual moments of the Clippers’ season, giving fans a glimpse of the team’s new offensive firepower.
Mathurin Dominates in Home Debut
Coming off the bench, Mathurin brought energy and confidence from the start. He attacked the rim, drew fouls, and delivered in clutch moments late in the game. His scoring burst lifted the second unit and kept the Clippers in control during key stretches.
Bennedict Mathurin Match Stats
| Category | Performance |
|---|---|
| Points | 38 (Career High) |
| Field Goals | 12/22 (54.5%) |
| Free Throws | 12/13 |
| Rebounds | 5 |
| Assists | 4 |
| Steals | 3 |
| Minutes | 34 |
His scoring total is now the highest by a Clippers player in a home debut, and one of the best performances by a reserve in franchise history.
How the Game Unfolded
The game was physical and competitive throughout, with both teams trading leads. A brief third-quarter confrontation involving Mathurin and multiple players resulted in technical fouls, adding intensity to the contest.
The biggest moment came in the final seconds. With 9 seconds remaining, Mathurin calmly made two free throws to extend the lead. Denver responded quickly, but missed the final chance to complete a comeback, allowing the Clippers to secure the one-point win.
Key Performers from Both Teams
| Team | Player | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Clippers | Kawhi Leonard | 23 points (34th straight 20+ game) |
| Clippers | Derrick Jones Jr. | 22 points, key late defense |
| Nuggets | Nikola Jokic | 22 points, 17 rebounds, 6 assists |
| Nuggets | Jamal Murray | 20 points, 8 assists |
The win moves the Clippers to 27–28, keeping them in the Western Conference play-in race, while Denver drops to 35–21.
Trade Impact Already Visible
Mathurin arrived in Los Angeles through a recent trade, and early criticism around the move is quickly fading. His scoring ability has added depth and balance to the Clippers’ rotation, especially for the bench unit.
With the team now showing strong form since late December, Mathurin’s emergence could play a major role in their playoff push.
The team faces a quick turnaround with a back-to-back matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers. After his explosive debut, all eyes will be on Mathurin to see if he can continue his hot streak in the high-profile “Battle of LA.”
